Can packaging method and machine



Feb. 28, 1961 E. B. HITCHCOCK CAN PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 12, 1956 INVENTOR E. B. HITCHOOCK Feb. 28, 1961 E. s. HrrcHcocK CAN PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 12, 1956 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII INVENTOR.

E. B. HITCHCOCK ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1961 Filed Oct. 12, 1956 E. B. HITCHCOCK CAN PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR E. B. HITCHCOCK ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1961 E. B. HITCHCOCK CAN PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 12. 1956 INVENTOR E. B. HITCHOOCK FIG. I l

ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1961 E. B. HITCHCOCK cAN PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 12, 1956 FIG. l5

)I'I'I'I'I'II". I

INVENTORN E. B. HITGHCOCK ziflm ATTORNEY z m9 h W f Feb. 28, 1961 E. B. HITCHCOCK CAN PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINE 9 Shedts-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 12. 1956 INVENI'OR E. B. HITOHCOOK Feb. 28, 1961 E. B. HITCHCOCK 2,972,842

CAN PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet v I 4IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII FlG.2l

l 67 66 F|G.22

FIG. 24

INVENTOR E. B. HITCHCOGK I BY 07, FIG-23 L ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1961 E. B. HITCHCOCK 2,972,842

CAN PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 32' FIG. 26 32 FIG.27 32' I IIllIlIIlIIlIlIlllI/IIII INVENTOR E. B. HITCHOOGK BY I ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1961 E. B. HITCHCOCK CAN PACKAGING METHOD AND MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed 001;. 12, 1956 INVENTOR E. a. HITCHCOCK H, m

ATTORNEY Unite This invention pertains to methods and machines for packaging cans or "the like.

A general object of the invention is to improve the packaging of cans and similar objects in paper board or the like cartons.

The packaging of several cans or similar containers in a take-home carton has proved helpful in handling the cans prior to sale, and such packaging has improved sales at retail of the canned goods because, in part, of the tendency of the buyer to purchase at one time an unbroken package of, say, six-cans, rather than two or three individual cans. "A' specific field in which such packaging has been particularly successful is in the packaging of six cans of beer in an open-ended sleeve. The most common present method of encasing suchcans in a take-home container is to fold around an assembled group of six cans a sheet of paperboard to form around the group of cans an open-ended sleeve, gluing or stapling overlapping or meeting flaps or flanges to complete the sleeve. Difficulties have been encountered in packaging standard 6 ounce cans of frozen citrus concentrate, and other frozen canned products, in the above suggested manner because the packaging operation must take place rapidly and because of gluing problems under the humidity and temperature conditions which cause moisture condensation on cans having frozen contents. A further factor is the necessity of providing, at the packaging plant, equipment necessary for the forming and gluing of the cartons, which equipment would be operated by plant employees not skilled in carton manufacture. In most instances, furthermore, the equipment would be used periodically, whereas it is much more economic for a carton manufacturer at a paper box plant to accomplish the carton fabrication on much longer continuous runs gluing equipment, for example, which is already on hand for general use in the box plant, and utilizing skilled carton manufacturing personnel, fabricating cartons which may thereafter be stored and shipped as needed to one or several users in the field. It is, of course, preferable, whatever carton is fabricated, that it be collapsible to conserve storage and shipping" space.

Economic considerations dictate that a carton for packaging six, or more or less, cans be low in price, since the margin of extra profit involved in the packaging is, in some instances, very small. In other Words, the six can package should retail at a no greater, and, preferably, at a slightly less amount than six individual cans. It is important, therefore, that the cartons to be employed be simple to manufacture and that they comprise a minimum of paperboard. 1

An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide a packaging system for packaging cans, or the like, into States Patent inexpensive cartons, in which system cartons may be pre- H glued and shipped after gluing, in collapsed condition, to the field, and which system requires relatively simple, easily operated machinery in the field. 4

Specific objects of this invention, accordingly, areto provide a simple machine and a simple method for load- 2,972,842 Patented Feb. 28, 1961 2 p ing a plurality of cans into a prefabricated inexpensive sleeve container. v

A further specific object is to provide a rapidly and economically operable automatic machine for packaging cans securely in open ended rectangular sleeve cartons.

Another object is to provide a rapid and simple method of encasing cans or the like objects in a simple, inexpensive, preformed, collapsible carton without the use of glue or staples in the encasing operation.

Vfhile this invention has been successfully applied to the packaging of six 6-ounce cans of frozen citrus juice concentrate in a particular simple for of preglued collapsible open-ended rectangular sleeve carton, the invention in its broader aspects is applicable to the packaging of objects other than cans and with other types ofcartons, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and, while the machine shown and described herein is successfully operatable for this specific packaging, novel principles and apparatus embodied the-rein have other utility.

The novel features, both as to the machine and as to the method, which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth withparticularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view and Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the general assembly of the machine, with certain parts omitted for clarity; v

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the coupling bracket taken along line 33 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 4 is an elevation on enlarged scale of the can hold-down mechanism and retracted ram limit switch assembly taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the ram limit switch assembly;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6.-6 of Fig.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of-Fig.

Fig. 8 is an elevation, partially in section, of the carrier and ejector way on the enlarged scale of Figs. 4 andi5; Fig. 9 is a fractional sectional elevation of the carrier in lrelation to the ejector way portal on said enlarged sca e; r

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view on a further enlarge scale taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 9; i I Fig. 11 is a plan view of the carrier and related mechanisms, on the scale of Figs. 4-9;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the can ram assembly, and Fig. 13 is an, elevation thereof, both on the scale of Fig. 4-9;

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view on a further enlarged scale taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 12; t

Fig. 15 is a sectionaal view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 13 and on the scale thereof;

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation of the carton erecting mechanisms taken along line 16--16 of Fig. 2, on a much enlarged scale; w

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the bottom vacuum cup operating assembly on the scale of Fig-16;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken aloneflinels -mfofi I Fig. 16 and on the scale thereof;

Fig. 19 is a front elevation, in part, of the side vacuum cups on the scale of Figs. 16 -18; Y

Fig. 20 is a sectional plan of the carton feed mesh; anism on a scale intermediate the scale of Fig. :1 and the scale of Fig. 4; and I Y a Fig. 21 is a sectional elevation, in part, mechanism;

a We

as'rasea Fig. 22 is a side elevation on .the scale of Figs. 20 and 21 of the ejector cylinder; and

Fig. 23 is an isometric view of the ejector frame;

Fig. 24 is an elevational detail view of the ram head trip assembly on the scale of Figs. 4-9;

Figs. 25, 26 and 27 show in plan view on the scale of Figs. 4-9 successive phases in the can ramming sequence from carrier to carton;

Fig. 28, a sectional elevational detail on a scale slightly larger than that of Figs. 1 and 2 showing the threshold plate at the can hold-down station;

Fig. 29 is a fractional side elevation on the enlarged scale of Fig. 14 of a carton employable with the invention;

' Fig. 30 is a sectional view taken along line 30-40 of Fig. 29; and

Fig. 31 is a fractional plan of the carton; and

Fig. 32 is a schematic diagram of an electrical and pneumatic power and control system for automatic operation of the packaging machine.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine has a supporting frame shown generally at F, the components of which may take any suitable form known in the art for the accommodation of the particular assembly to which the principles of the invention may be applicable.

Arranged in the frame is an endless belt 1 adapted to pass over a driven pulley 1 and motivated in any conventional manner in the direction of the arrows to convey dual rows A and B of the objects or bodies to be packaged, which, in the embodiment herein shown, are upright, cylindrical cans, along corresponding channels defined by a center guide rail 2 and a pair of outer rails 3. The cans are discharged into a carrier C, of a capacity to receive, in the exemplification of the inven tion herein described, dual rows of three cans each.

The carrier C (Figs. 7 and 8), open along the front and both ends thereof, has a floor 4 terminating along its front edge in an upturned flange 5, a back member 6, and a top 7 which terminates along the front edge thereof in a downturned flange 8. The flange 5 at the discharge end 6 thereof, opposite the can-receiving end 7' of the carrier, has an inwardly-directed arcuate curb 5 (Fig. 25).

The top 7 has secured thereon an upstanding bracket 9, to the front face of which are fastened, as by weld 9', an upper pair 10 and a lower pair 11 of verticallyaligned and longitudinally spaced apart blocks which are adapted to receive in slidable passage 10' therethrough a corresponding pair of upright shafts 12. Attached to the bottom ends of these shafts, is a longitudinally disposed rectangular bar 13 which carries along the bottom face 12' thereof a downwardly extending spacer plate 13'. This plate has slideable movement through a slot 8' in the top 7 and is normally adapted for registry in alignment with the center guide rail 2. The back member 6, and the two superposed flanges 5 and 8, register in alignment with the outer guide rails 3 whereby to insure passage of the dual rows A and B onto the car:

rier in the loading thereof with their alignment intact.

Arranged on the carrier top 7 and overhead the leading can, such as can I, in each row thereon, is a respective electric limit switch 14, normally open but operable to close by the upward movement of a toggle Z l4' pivotally mounted on the top 7 and normally projectlng downwardly therethrough for engagement by the leading edge I of the top of the leading can I thereunder. These switches become operable to energize a circuit to be presently described upon delivery into the carrier of the full load of dual rows. of three cans each, and, until both switches are closed, transportation of the carrier C will not occur.

Journaled in the ends of the bar 13 (Figs. 8, 9, and l1), is a pair of rollers 15 and 15 which travel on a corresponding pair of rails 16 supported on adjacent framing structure F and extending transversely of the machine. These rails terminate rearwardiy thereof in backstop members 16 adapted to fix the alignment of the carrier in can receiving registry with the guide rails 2 and 3. The rails 15 have upwardly and forwardly inclined working surfaces 16" (Fig. 9), whereby, upon a predetermined forward travel of the carrier, to elevate the bar 13 and spacer plate =13 carried thereby against the downward bias of a pair of helical compression springs 17 coiled about the shafts 12 and fastened thereto at the bottom ends of the springs. Such elevation of bar 13 permits the cans to be discharged from the carrier in a desired manner as later described, particularly in connection with Figs. and 26.

The discharge end portion 2 of the belt 1 has arranged thereover a can arrester or hold-down device D (Figs. 1, 4 and 6), to interrupt the advance of the cans remaining on the belt following the loading of the carrier. A bracket 13, secured to overhead framing structure as represented, for example, by the angle member 19, has fastened thereto an upright air cylinder 20 having a downwardly directed plunger 2i. This plunger carries an upright depressor plate 22 spanning the dual rows A and B and attached to this plate at the 32 of an ejector way struture E.

bottom thereof is a pair of longitudinally disposed flat pads 23. Upon charging the cylinder 2%, through compressed air line 20, the pads 23 are deprcssable to frictionally engage the tops of the foremost cans thereunder, against the upward bias of a pair of helical tension springs 24. The hold-down station thus established includes a threshold plate 25 (Fig. 28), supported by adjacent framing structure to slightly clear the belt 1', there being a bevel 25' along the can-receiving edge of the plate 25 to facilitate the movement of thereover. Thus the downward pressure exerted by the cylinder 26 upon the cans thereunder is received by the threshold plate 25. The belt 1, constructed of reiativ" frictionless material, is free to continue its 0 while the cans behind the held-down rein-air; immobilized following the loading of the carrier C.

The carrier C (Figs. 1, 7 and 11), is impelled in ciprocal movement transversely of the machine by double acting air cylinder 26, the piunger 27 of w may be attached to the back member 45. (Jonnccted un' derneath the carrier is a supporting and guiding bearing sleeve 28 slideable on a shaft 29 extending along the carrier travel way indicated generally at W, the shaft being secured at its ends to convenient framing structure F adjacent thereto. Rearwardly'of the carrier, a spring loaded electric limit switch 3% (Fig. 11), is mounted for engagement by wall 6 of the carrier when the carrier is in retracted position, the switch being held open by engagement of wall 6 and being arranged to close automatically when wall 6 moves away. The switch is connected in a circuit to be presently described, and it will be later seen that switch 6 serves to control hoiddown device D. V

The forward limit of the carriers travel is predetermined to bring the can rows A and B (Figs. 9 and ll), in longitudinal loading alignment with a rectangular portal 31 formed in the adjacent upstanding side wall Arranged behind this can alignment, is a ramming or pushing mechanism cornprising a double acting air cylinder 33 (Figs. 1, 2, l2 and 13), the piston rod 34 of whichterminates forwardly thereof in an articulated impact head assembly or frame shown generally at H. The head assembly consists of a rectangular casing 35 having a back wall .36 which extends laterally into a bracket member JO bracket supports in slideablemovement the ethrough, an

elongated shaft 3'7, terminating rcarwardly thereof in relation, on the order of half a can diameter, with respect to the frontal face 3-5 of casing 35. The face 35 functions as a second impact head member. The casing 35 supports a latching device 43 (Fig. 14), which comprises a crank 44 pivoted as at 43 to a back wall 36 of the casing and terminating at one end in a trip member 44 and at its opposite end in a latch member 45. A tension spring 46, connected at one end to the latch member 45 and at its opposite end anchored to casing 35, urges the latch 45 into upward engagement with one of the stub shafts 40, there being a complementary slot 45' indicated in broken lines in Fig. 13 in the bottom periphery of the shaft 40 for the reception of the latch member 45. The head frame H is thus seen to provide an advanced impact head 42 and a lagging impact head embodied in the casing 35 at the frontal face 35' thereof. Upon the tripping of the trip member 44 by a cam 44" projecting rearwardly from the side wall 32 (Fig. 24), the impact frame, with the continued advance of the casing 35, is collapsible to form at the end of the ramming stroke a head assembly having the front head faces 35' and 42' thereof in a common vertical plane (Fig. 27) by virtue of the disengagement of the latch member 45 from the notch 45 of the stub shaft 40.

A fixed stop member K mounted to frame structure F, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, has double utility. The ram head assembly bracket back wall 36 is shown in full lines in Fig. 12 in position near its fully retracted position, whereas the fully retracted position is represented by the broken line position 36" for wall 36. As the head retracts from the full line to the broken line position, shaft 39 and, preferably, shafts 4t) and 41 also, are in end abutment with stop K, whereby member 42 remains stationary as wall 36 and casing 35 progress toward fully retracted position. As the fully retracted position is reached, latch member 45 engages in notch 45 to retain member 42 in the position of advance with respect to casing 35 shown in Fig. 13.

Stop K is further effective to limit the operating stroke of the ram head by engagement of stop nuts 38 of shaft 37 therewith, such limiting occurring at the end of the operative stroke of the ram head indicated in Fig. 27. It will be understood that shaft 37 passes slideably through member K. 1

Attached to the casing 35 and reciprocable therewith (Figs. 12 and 13) is a rearwardly extending shaft 47 carrying fixedly thereon a bracket 48, which, in turn is coupled to a control shaft 49 spaced below and parallel to shaft 47. The bracket 48 is disposed on shaft 49 between a pair of collars 48 and 48 fixed to shaft 49 and with a spring 49' arranged between collar 48" and bracket 48 tending to maintain bracket 48 and collar 48" in engagement. I

The control shaft 49 functions both as an operating element for valves V and V as later explained, and as j a carton'dispensing shaft, there being a bracket 50 (Figs. 20 and 21), fixed to the forward end thereof. This bracket supports a reciprocating block 51, slideable on a rectangular shaft 52 fastened at the respective ends there-- of to stop members 53 and 53 attached in any suitable manner to convenient framing structure adjacent thereto. The block 51 is movable along a longitudinal slot 54 formed in the floor 55 of the machine and has fastened to the top face thereof as by screw members 56 a carton dispensing blade 57. This blade, beveled along the .for-

ward operating edge thereof as at 57, isadapted to pass-f longitudinally throughthe bottommost portion of an upright magazine M, the endwise walls 32' and'58' of which are slotted clear of the floor line a sat 533" The magazine is adapted to contain. a stack. S of collapsed, preformed" ment of the control shaft 49 during which block 51 moves into the position indicated by broken lines at 5 1', the blade 57 engages the bottommost carton in the stack S, shifting the carton to the floor of the ejector way E therebeside. It will be understood that the beveled edge 57' is sufficiently blunt to engage and push outwardly the lowermost collapsed carton of stack S and that in its passage through the magazine to tend to lift slightly, along bevel 57', the other cartons of the stack.

The carton feeding and control shaft 49 reciprocates with head H, although its travel may be somewhat less as permitted by spring 49'. Carton erecting vacuum cups, specifically described hereinafter, are provided with vacuum through a valve V of which the operating handle 47 is coupled through a double spring 47" preferably anchored to both shaft 49, through collar 112, and to bracket 48, whereby the handle swings from a valve open position (shown in Fig. 13), to supply cup vacuum in response to movement of shaft 49 to the head retracted position, to a valve closed position, removing vacuum from the cups, in response to movement of the head in its forward operating stroke.

Shaft 49 further carries an actuating finger 110 for operating a valve V as laterdescribed, valve ,V being arranged to actuate carton erecting mechanism in response to return of head H to retracted position.

The ejector way E is in the form, of an open front compartment (Figs. 1, 8, and l6) defined by a roof 59,

side walls 32 and 32', and a floor plate'55; Rearwardly thereof,,this' compartment or'ejector way has a low up standing curb 60 above which is arranged an upright ejector frame 61 which/carries a central post 62 v(Figs. 22 and 23). This post, having reciprocal movement along a slot 63 formed in .roof 59 (Fig. 1), has a finger 64 extending forwardly therefrom which terminates in an air valve actuating button 65. The ejector frame 61 is reciprocable forwardly through way E to eject filled cartons under the influence of a single acting air cylinder 66 having a plunger 67 attached to the ejector frame,

and a spring 68 attached at one end to the post 62 and at its opposite end to the rear head of the cylinder serves to retract the plunger (Fig. 22) and accomplish the return stroke of ejector frame 61 to its rest position of Figs. 1 and 8.

A carton erecting assembly arranged in and adjacent the ejector way E comprises a pair of horizontally aligned vacuum cups 69 (Figs. 8, l6 and 19), which are car; ried by a cross-connecting brace 70. This brace is internally channelled as indicated at 70 to function as a conduit communicating with the. cups 69 through central cup openings 69 and has'a nozzle 71,for communication with a vacuum producing source. The brace 70. is supported centrally thereof by an arcuate arm 72 defining an are about a horizontal axis 73 and oscillable through a circular path concentric therewith. The arm 72 'is confined in arcuate movement by a race comprisinga pair of outer roller bearings. 74 and an opposed pair of inner rollerbearings 75, these bearings being journalled in a bracket v76 fastened to convenient framingtstructure. The outer bearings 74 have formed th'erearound a circumferentialfiange'77 (Figs. 16, 18 and '19)'eng ageable with-a complementary groove 78 formed in the outer periphery of the arm 72 and effective to maintain the arm in proper alignment'throughout its travel. 'A'carton pick-up air cylinder 79, the' plunger of which terminates in a clevis 80 pivoted to the lower end of the arm 72, is operable to oscillate this arm to depress the vacuum cups 69 for engagement with the. top surface of a collapsed carton P, takingf'a suctional grip-on a side panelj Pf -thereof. Upon the retraction of the'plunger ofthe cylinder 79, the corresponding retraction ofthe vacuum cups 69 effects thererection of the panel P? in [describedfl 'Itwill be seen that, .on the re'tractive movethe manner suggested in. broken lines at- 72 and indt. sa e y we?! 751 4 1 5 he mana ement position indicated by broken lines 74'. The cylinder '79 has a pivotal connection rearwardly thereof with a bracket 81 attached to adjacent framing structure, whereby the clevis S is free to follow the arcuate path required by reciprocation of arm 72 through bearings 74 and 75.

Seated in the floor 55 of the ejector way, is a bottom vacuum cup 82 having for its function to grip the bottom panel P" of the folded carton against the upward pull exerted by the cups 69 on the panel P when setting up the carton. This cup is carried by a conduit member 82' (Fig. 17), having a suction intake nozzle T and an internal conduit 83', and extending from one end of an arm 83 the opposite end of which is pivoted in a bracket 84 attached to any convenient framing structure. Conduit 83' communicates with central opening 84' of cup 82. The arm 83 has a lateral extension 85 which is interposed in the path of the clevis member so to be lightly engaged thereby during its upward travel for the purpose of imparting a slight jar to the arm 83 and thus to elfect a relatively more positive suctional contact between the cup 82 and the bottom face of the carton thereabove.

The roof structure 59 has arranged therein a normally open electric limit switch 86, closable by the engagement therewith of the erected carton. This switch is in series circuit with switches 14 atop the carrier C and with a fourth switch 87 (Figs. 4 and and closure of all four of these switches is necessary to initiate transportation of theloaded carrier C from its first position aligned with the can supply belt 1 into its second position aligned between impact head H and the erected carton. Switches 14 close when six cans have entered the carrier to form a group for transportation into the carton loading position, switch 86 closes when the carton to be loaded has been erected, and switch 87 closes when the ram or impact head is fully retracted. These switches, accordingly, function as sensing elements individually responsive to proper conditions at several points of the machine jointly operable upon simultaneous occurrence of necessary conditions at the several points to initiate the can group transporting and carton loading operations of the machine.

The manner in which switch 87 is made responsive to the ram head position will be best understood with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, wherein it will be seen that the switch is operable to close by a'cam lever 88 fulcrumed to the under side of an overhead frame angle member 19 as at 88'. This lever terminates at one end in a roller 89 engageable by carrier structure in passage there against, the position of the roller with respect to the carrier being indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 11, and at the opposite ends thereof in an 'arcuate cam 90 which is urged normally clear of switch 87 by a helical tension spring 91, fastened at one end to the cam and at its opposite end to the frame member 19. A bracket 92 extends downwardly from the cam lever to carry a forwardly directed sensing member in the form of a bolt 93 threads through the bracket. The forward end of this bolt is engageable by the back face 92' of the impact frame H whereby to effect closure of the switch 87 when the ram mechanism reaches its fully retracted position. It is to be noted that return of the impact head H into its rest or retracted position, corresponding to Figs. 1, 2,

stion shown in full lines in Fig. 1 toward its posit-ion ed on the roof 59 of the ejector way and pivoted thereto. is a crank 96 of which one arm 95 has a flap 95' inter.- posed in the path of the adjacent carrier roller 15' for engagement thereby. The other arm 96' terminates in a ball and socket connection 98 with one end of a rock shaft 97 (Fig. 10), this connection comprising a tubular extension 98' to the shaft, a ball 99 loosely received therein, and a pivot pin 100 joining the arm 96 to the ball. At the opposite end thereof, the shaft 97 has a similar connection 106 with the outer end of a horizontal arm N1, the inner end of which is integral with a pivotable quadrant 102 mounted against the adjacent magazine wall. This quadrant is oscillable to engage the control piston 103 of a four-Way air valve 104 mounted against the adjacent magazine wall and operable to selectively distribute compressed air received from a compressor source 114 (Fig. 32) through the covering and uncovering of ports therein in a manner well known in the art and conventional therein. The piston 103 is movable in one direction by the rock shaft 97 and in the opposite direction by the forward stroke of the loaded carton ejector 61 which causes button 65 movable therewith to engage and swing the quadrant-operating arm 1M, (Figs. 1 and 32).

Referring to Figs. 9 and 11, the portal 31 to the ejectorway E has arranged at one side and exteriorly thereof, a forwardly and inwardly disposed vane 1G5 which functions as a deflector interposed in the entrance thereto. The vane is carried by an angular horizontal arm 1%, of which the elbow is: fulcrumed at 167 to the adjacent wall 32. At its opposite end the arm is connected by a helical tension spring 108 to the wall 32 whereby to urge the deflector normally clear of the entryway to portal 31.

In a time related sequence to be presently set forth, a collapsed carton P is dispensed by blade 57 (Figs. 20, 21) from the magazine M to the ejector way E and set up therein (Fig. 16) for the reception, through portal 31, of dual rows A and B of the cans loaded on the carrier C (Figs. 25 to 27), which will have moved (Fig. l) to a position between the ram head H and the portal. The heavy circles in Figs. 25, 26, :27 represent the actual positions of the cans in transit through the portal, the articulated frame H being arranged behind the rows on the carrier and in longitudinal alignment therewith. Upon charging the cylinder 33 to force rod 34 forwardly, row A moves off the carrier under the impetus of the advanced head 42 in engagement with the rearmost can thereof, the corresponding can of row B lagging behind until engaged by the lagging head 35. As row B leaves the carrier for entry into the carton, shown in broken lines, the cans thereof engage the arcuate curb 5 and the deflector vane thereabove, by which these cans are inclined obliquely and into nested relation with the cans of row A. v

,The two rows of cans, in transit on the belt and in place on the carrier, previously spaced apart by the 7 center rail 2 and the spacer plate 13', symbolized in Fig.

aligned with head H,.roller 89 is contacted by the carrier to urge lever 88 also in the direction of arrow 91, whereby, when the carrier is away from its rest position, switch 8 7 r'emains closed regardlessof the position of. h'eadH.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 9,'and'10, a post 94 is mount- 25 by broken lines at 13", constitute a column the width of which has been substantially lessened by the nesting of the two rows of cans on leaving the carrier for entry into the carton. It will be seen that'the internal width of the carton may bedimensioned relatively narrower than the combined diameters of the cans taken laterally through any corresponding pair of the column and that,

by nesting the two. rows together, the entry of the column into the carton will be materially facilitated.

When the foremost can R in row A has-reached its ultimate position in the carton 26) in .ch it will be in engagement with wall 32' of the magazine, therelative to the head 42 By this construction,

wedge between the adjacent wall 115' of the carton and the corresponding cans of row A, thus bringing the corresponding cans of both rows into substantially lateral coincidence as shown in Fig. 27.

By predetermining the internal width of the carton between opposite walls 115 and 115' relative to the width of the column with the cans in corresponding pairs thereof in lateral alignment, the cans may be substantially locked into the carton, against the side walls of which they exert a laterally outwardly directed force.

The advance of the cans of each respective row into the carton may be arrested in any suitable manner when the foremost or lead cans have reached their ultimate predetermined positions, such, for example, as a stop device formed by the wall 32' common to the ejector way E and to magazine M.

, Among various patterns of cartons having utility with the invention, a form of enwrapping preferably but not necessarily employable therewith is disclosed in the drawings and best shown in Figs. 29 to 31.

This form of carton is provided along the top and bottom marginal edges of the sidewalls 115 and 115' thereof with longitudinally spaced apart slots 116 which are adapted to receive the peripheral outer edges of circumferential rims or beads 117 at the top and bottom ends of the cans. As shown, beads 117 project slightly outwardly from the cans and tend generally to overlie the respective carton walls when engaged in the slots.

When the cans packaged in the above described form of carton are aligned in corresponding pairs laterally therethrough, the resulting expansion of the column will be seen to bring the outer edges of the rims 117 in locking engagement with the slots 116, substantially securing the cans loaded into the carton. The slotted out portions of the side walls form tabs 118 extending outwardly from the top and bottom panels of the carton.

The invention is not limited within the purview thereof to any specific form of cylindrical can or like body nor to a specific pattern of carton employable therewith.

An empty collapsed carton is dispensed by the blade 57, on the return stroke of the control shaft 49, from the magazine M to the ejector way E. The carton pickup cylinder 79 is actuated by the engagement of a pivotable finger 110, adjustably fixed on the shaft 49, with.

the handle 110'. of an air valve V the handle pivoting in counter-clockwise direction to 'direct a column of air from valve 104 to cylinder 79, thereby depressing vacuurn cups 69 upon the side panel P (Fig. 16) of the carton. The retraction of the plunger of cylinder 79 is effected by striking the handle of valve V by the plunger 1111' of a single acting air cylinder'lll directed toward the valve handle which is thus pivoted in a clockwise direction upon forward movement of plunger 111'. Cylinder 111 receives actuating air through a line 109 taken olf the air supply line 79 which actuates cylinder 79, there being an adjustable needle valve V interposed in the line to cylinder 111 whereby to balance the pressure therein against a spring 119 operable to retract the plunger of cylinder 111. By adjusting the valve V, the functioning of cylinders 111 and 79 may be related to effect the operation of this valve and control the carton pick-up cylinder against a toofast pick-up of the carton.

The returning shaft 49 affects the operation of a vacuum line valve V the'handle of whichjhas. a resilient connection 47" with a collar 112 fixed on the shaft and the lower portion ofthe coupling bracket 48. This valve permits the application of suction through vacuum cups 69 and 82, which communicate, through the valve, with a vacuum pump 113.

With the closing of limit switches 14 on the full loading of the carrier C, and switch 87 by the fully retracted position of the impact frame H, these switches being connected in series with switch 86 which closes by engage- 'ment with the cartonerected in the ejector way, a solenoidvalve X is operated 'by the flow of current into and frame 61.

actuated position to supply compressed air through liri 128 to actuate cylinder 26, impelling the loaded carrier forwardly from its can receiving station opposite the can feed belt to its unloading position or carton loading station opposite portal 31. The spacer plate 13 rises as the carrier moves forward on the rails 16. Roller 15 strikes the crank arm 95 and affects the retraction of rock shaft 97 when the carrier reaches its position in front of ram head H and this action actuates valve 104 to motivate cylinder 33 with which this valve communicates to begin the forward stroke of the ram mechanism.

Switches 14, 86, and 87 remainclosed until the carrier is evacuated, at which point the circuit to solenoid X 1 becomes de-energized and the valve thereof directs compressed air for the retraction of the plunger in cylinder 26 and the consequent return of the carrier to itscan loading position.

Switch 30, upon the forward movement of the carrier, activated solenoid valve into condition Y to charge the hold-down cylinder 20, thereby interrupting the movement of cans to the carrier loading station, the function of this valve being reversed to permit the retraction of the arresting device by springs 24 therein when the carrier returned to its loading station.

In timed relation to the completion of the ram mechanisms forward stroke, the bottom portion of the coupling bracket 48 engages the handle of an air valve V to actuate the ejector cylinder 66 for the discharge of the loaded carton from the ejector way. This forward stroke of the ejector frame brings the button 65 into engagement with the valve actuating arm 101, causing valve 104 to direct compressed air to cylinder 33 for the reversal of the plunger therein and the retraction of the ram mechanism which replaces the ejected loaded carton with an empty collapsed carton from the magazine M.

Four way air valve 104 connects directly to the source of compressed air 114 and operates into the full line position shown in Fig. 32 upon completion, or substantialtcompletion, of the operating stroke of the loaded carton ejector frame,- as button 65 engages arm 101. In

the full line position of arm 101 in Fig. 32, valve 104 supplies compressed air to line 120- (to retract head H),

' while movement of arm 101-into its broken line position, accomplished by roller 15' striking crank arm 95 in the direction of arrow 121 to move rock shaft 97 in the direction of arrow 122, provides compressed air through line 123 to drive head H in its operating stroke. An air exhaust line 124 is provided on valve 104 and connected by the valve to the one of lines 120 and 123 which is not then receiving air, whereby cylinder is operative to drive the head H in response to the supply of air from the valve. Line 125 connects air source 114 to valve 104, and further supplies compressed air to valve V Valve V is arranged to remain in closed position until actuated to open position by the advance of ram head H and bracket 48 into extreme forward position, whereupon bracket 48 operates the valve to connect line 123 into ejector cylinder 66, thereby to cause the ejector frame to eject the loaded carton. Since button 65 moves arm 101 into its full line position, valve 104 then connects line 123 to exhaust outlet 124 permitting air to escape from cylinder 33' and 66 and initiating return of head H It may be desirable, since valve V closes the connection between line 66 and line 123 as the head starts retracting, to provide an exhaust 66 opened by valve V to bleed air from cylinder 66 when the valve V closes line 123. 7

Valve V is connected to supply compressed air through line 79 to operate the carton erecting cylinder 79 as the shaft 49 nears retracted position, finger meeting valve arm 110' and-passing leftwardly thereof. When so operated into the position shown in broken lines, valve V supplies air through line 79' and through restrictor valve V. After the arcuate erecting arm 72, (shown in Fig. 16) has thus moved to contact the collapsed carton,

11 sufiicient air will have passed through valve V into cylinder 111 to cause the plunger 111' to actuate valve V back to its full line position, whereupon compressed air is supplied through line 126 to retract the erecting arm and cause erection of the carton. During the period of such motion of the erecting arm following actuation of valve V by finger 10, valve V will be in open position providing vacuum to all of cups 69 and 82. The vacuum is supplied to the cups while the head is at or near retracted position. Upon failure of the erecting mechanism to cause erection of the carton, switch 86 will remain open preventing further operation of the machine. If this occurs, valve handle 110 may be manually operated to its broken line position, causing the erecting mechanism to go through its cycle once again and, if successful, the machine continues to function;

In following the machine through a complete operating cycle, with particular reference to Fig. 32, it will be assumed that a carton is in place, erected, in ejector way E, arm 191 is in its full line position, ejector frame 61 is retracted, head H is retracted with air supplied through line 12%, carrier C is in can receiving position, closing switch 30 to close solenoid valve Y to remove air supply from line and can holddown cylinder 20, while solenoid valve X is in condition to supply air through line 127 to cylinder 26. In the meantime, head H is engaging extension 92 of cam lever 88 to close switch 87, while cans enter cmrier C. When the carrier C is filled with six cans, switches 14 close thereby initiating further action of the machine' As switches 14 close, solenoid valve X operates to cut off compressed air from line 127 and to supply air to line 128 and cylinder 26, whereby transporting of the loaded carrier is initiated. As the carrier starts to move, switch 36 opens, actuating solenoid valve Y into open position supplying air to cylinder 20 to clamp the cans as fed by the supply belt. Roller 89 now contacts the roof of carrier C and remains in contact therewith to hold switch 87 closed throughout the cycle. Switch 87 prevents initiation of forward carrier movement if ram head H is not out of the way in its retracted position.

No further control change is effected until roller 15' of carrier C contacts crank arm 95 to swing valve control arm 101 into its broken line position. Thereupon,

valve 1&4 connects line 120 to exhaust vent 124 and connects ram operating line 123 to compressed air source 114 initiating forward ram head motion to complete the sequence shown in Figs. 25, 26, 27 in that order. As head H moves in its operatingstroke, vacuum valve V is operated to closed position to cut oh the cup vacuum supply.

As head H moves forwardly, its motion is paralleled by shaft 49 to slide carton feeding plate 57 back under the carton stack ready to engage afresh collapsed carton.

During this forward motion of shaft 49, finger 110 merely ratchets over the upright handle 110 'of valve V No further control function is brought into play until head H reaches its forward limit position, at which time valve V is opened to supply compressed air through line 66' to the ejector cylinder 66, causing ejector frame 61 to move forwardly and to eject the now loaded or packed carton. Near the end of the stroke of the ejector frame, button 65 swings arm 101 into full line position to actuate valve 5194 into ram head returning condition, thereby to connect line 120 to receive compressed air and to connectline'123 to exhaust vent 124, causing head H and shaft 49 to start the retraction stroke.

.In the meantime, ejection of the carton from the ejector way and clearing of the cans from the carrier C has permitted switches 14 ('and'switch 86) to open, breaking the circuit to solenoid valve X, whichybeing spring loaded, cuts off the supply of air through line 128 and rcconnects :line 127 to return carrier C to can receiving position, whereupon can holddown D again releases cans to fill the carrier. Return of the carrier, it Will be noted, causes switch 87 to open pending complete retraction of head H to contact extension 92, and it will be notedfurther that return of the carrier is initiated immediately upon opening of either of switches 14, whereby the carrier starts its return trip empty before the button '65 can reach arm 101. Accordingly, roller 15 has cleared crank arm before button 65 has operated arm 101'to swing crank arm 95 back to its full line position of Fig. 9. If desired, arm 95 may be of stiff spring material, or button shaft 64 may have some resilience, to prevent damage in case carrier C has not cleared arm 95 sufiiciently before button 65 reaches arm 101.

.As head 49 starts to retract, valve V closes, permitting line 66' to bleed through vent 66" and permitting, thereby, return of ejector frame 61 under the influence of spring 68. Carton feeding plate 57 now moves with head H to feed a new carton into the ejector way E.

As head H travels its return path, vacuum valve V is opened and immediately thereafter valve V is operated by finger 110 into its broken line position. The resultant carton erecting cycle takes place rapidly, as arm 72 rotates to engage cups 69 with the side of the new carton, and then as plunger 111' moves to return valve V to full line position, thus to return arm 72 to its rest position carrying the carton wall with it.

Finally all is set for a new cycle, as the erected carton closes switch 86, as the retracted head H closes switch 87 and as the cans entering the carrier close switches 14, again to actuate solenoid valve X and start carrier C on its next can group transporting trip.

The speed at which the machine shown herein has proved capable of operating is such that, for 6 ounce cans of frozen orange juice concentrate packaged 6 to a carton, somewhat more than cartons are packaged per minute, while the machine itself is approximately the size of a small desk.

While only a certain preferred embodiment of this invention 'has been shown and described by way of illustration, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, desired that it be understood that it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

-1. In a machine for loading a plurality of objects into a carton, an object receiving station, means feeding objects to said station, an object carrier proportioned to receive a predetermined number of said objects, means to position said carrier at said station to receive objects from said feeding means, a carton loading station spaced from said receiving station, control means for said positioning means, said positioning means being responsive to operation of said control means to transport said car rier from said receiving station to said loading station, ram means'comprising a moveable portion including an impact head at said loading station and also comprising means for driving said'head forwardly into said carrier at said loading station to eject the objects from said carrier and for rearwardly retracting said head out of said carrier, said control means being responsive to filling of said carrier with said predetermined number of objects and concurrent retraction of said head to actuate said positioning ,means'to transport said carrier fromsaid receiving station to said loading station, a control element of said ram means and operated by said forward'movement of said portion connected controllingly to said control element and-effective upon reaching of a predetermined-position of advance of said ram head to actuate said control element to retract said, head, saidfirst control means comprising object engageable presence sensing means engageable by an object at said oarton' loading station operative upon ejection of the objectsfrom said carrier by said forward travel of said head to actuate said carrier transporting means to return said carrier to said object receiving station.

2. A can packaging machine comprising, can supply means, a can carrier having a first position adjacent said operative in response to positioning of said carrier in said second position to actuate said head moving means to move said head in said forward stroke, control means connected to operate said carrier-actuated means and actuated in response to movement of said head, substantially at the completion of said forward stroke thereof,-

to reverse said carrier-actuated'means and thereby to actuate said head moving means in the direction to return said head to said rest position, and saidcarrier having means thereon for detecting the absenceof cans therein operatively connected to said carrier-moving means to actuate said carrier-moving means in the carrier returning direction when the cans have been pushed from said carrier by said head in its said forward stroke 3. The machine according to claim -2 wherein erected carton positioning means are disposed adjacent said second position of said carrier and opposite said head operative to dispose a carton to be loaded in thepath of the cans so pushed from said carrier by said forward stroke of said head, and wherein a loaded carton ejector mechanism having a moveable portion is arranged to eject the loaded carton from said path, said moveable portion of said ejector mechanism comprising a portion of said control means and said portion being engageable with said carrier-actuated means, said mechanism being responsive with said control means for operation in response to said movement of said head substantially at the completion of said forward stroke.

4. The combination in a machine for packaging cans in an open ended carton, the combination comprising a can supply station, a carton loading station spaced from said supply station, means for feeding cans to said supply station, a movable carrier, hydraulic means connected to said carrier for transporting said carrier alternately and selectively forwardly from said supply station to said loading station and returnably from said loading station to said supply station, a control device for actuating said hydraulic means, ram means comprising a ram head having a rest position at one side of the position which said carrier assumes when at said loading station and operable in a forward stroke into said carrier position at said loading station, means to position an erected carton adjacent said carrier position and opposite said ram head, a plurality of sensing elements comprising respective elements disposed to sense respectively the presence of said head at its said rest position, the presence of said erected carton at its said position opposite said head and the presence of cans in said carrier, said elements being connected in series to said control means and being operative in response to simultaneous occurrence of the three said sensed conditions to actuate said hydraulic means to transport said carrier forwardly to said loading station, said ram means comprising power means to operate said head in its forward stroke and alternately to retract said head to its said rest position, control means operatively engaged by said carrier upon reaching said loading station connected to said power means and effective to operate said head forwardly into said carrier to'push the cans therefrom, and means engaged by said ram means upon substantial completion of the forward stroke of said head operatively connected to said control means and effective to actuate said control means in adirectionto operate said power means to retract said head, the sensing element responsive to the presence of said head in its rest position comprising means engagedby said carrier when said carrier is away from its retracted position and operative to retain such element in sensing condition throughout the forward stroke of said head, said can sensing element returning to a non-sensing condition upon ejection of the cans from said carrier by said forward stroke of said head, said control means being operative in response to occurrence of non-sensing condition of any one of said three sensing elements to actuate said hydraulic means in the direction to return said carrier to said supply station.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein a can supply interrupting device is disposed at said supply station, said interrupting device having operating means, and wherein a sensing element is connected to said operating means and contacted by said carrier when said carrier is at said supply station and actuated by the absence of said carrier fromsaid supply station to cause said operating means of said interrupting device to operate said interrupting device into can-supply-interrupting position and actuated, by the presence of said carrier at said supply station to cause said operating means to disable. said interrupting device from interrupting the can supply to said carrier.

.6. The combination, in a carton filling machine, of means to assemble a predetermined number of objects to be packaged on a collection platform in a predetermined loading position, ram head means comprising a ram head having a retracted position at one side of said loading platform and having an advanced position at substantially the opposite side of said loading platform and said ram head means further comprising means to reciprocate said ram head in a complete stroke from its retracted to its advanced position and back to its retracted position, an ejector way adjoining said opposite side of said platform, a magazine for collapsed cartons positioned adjacent said way and opposite said platform, a carton feeding blade reciprocable in said magazine attached to said head for reciprocation therewith, said blade being effective to feed an empty collapsed carton from said magazine to said way in response to retractive movement of said head from its advanced to its retracted position, a carton erecting mechanism comprising means to engage the walls of a collapsed carton at said way and operative to erect said carton in said way with an open end facing said platform, first control means operatively connected to said reciprocating means responsive to retraction of said head to its retracted position to actuate said erecting mechanism, and second control means for sensing erection of a carton in said way and for sensing the presence of said objects in said loading position, said second control means being connected to said ram head reciprocating means and operative upon concurrence of said erection and said presence to actuate said head reciprocating means to move said head forwardly, thereby to drive said objects into said open end of said carton.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein a loaded carton ejector member is positioned at one end of said way and wherein operating means for said member are provided comprising means positioned to respond to the movement of said ram head to its advanced position to move said ejector member, along said way from said one end in a direction at approximately right angles to the direction of head reciprocation thereby to eject the loaded carton from said way.

'8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said platform comprises a portion of an object carrier, wherein said second control means comprise a first object sensingmelementqin isaid carriage and agsecgnd sensing element connected to saidafirst s ens ing. el en ent anddiS' posed at the retracted position-r said-ram head and-a third sensing element connected to said first and second sensing elements and disposed,in-, s aid; wayi and; .-further comprise transportingmeans for ,said carriage gperable in response to concurrent actuation oftsaid first, second and ythil'd sensing elements and'furthericomprisea control said head reciprocating meansflinthe glirectionrto return said head to its said retracted position.

9. The combination in accord with claim-2.6 ,Wherein said assembling meanscomprises meansitoassemble. at least two parallel adjacent rows of objects on v sa, id;platform with the rows aligned .in thedirection .ofuhead reciprocation, and wherein .said head compriseslatlleast two articulated face me'mbers; saidafacesmemhersspanning said .rows, one facelmen' bernheingi normallyarmvanced in position toward said way with respect tonthe other face member andnbein'giarranged-to push atleast one said row into said carton-in advance oftatleastto'ne other said row, each of saidTobjectsibeirig.rourided.in plan and said advanceofsaidtone member-.being-of the order of one-half of thediameter of one saidfobject,

I and wherein said ram headmeahsl comprise meansvlto advance said other tface member -intollateral1y aligned position with respect to said one facememberatsaid advanced head position, thereby to align lthe objectsmf each said row'into respective side-by-side aligned positions with respect to the corresponding objects of each other said row atthe end ofitheiorward'movementof saidhead.

10. Erecting means for a preformed collapse d,

v a. pe ended sleeve carton compris'ingaplatformha in'g,

top

surface with an opening therethrough,,a vacuu i ncup in s op n having rimrfiu st at sl t.erlaae with said surface, a wall nember at one side of said a-pla ormahav a i 59m;fas t st dievl to Said sta e. anddsfinin a with ali w ia s s means f M al collapsedcarton into predeternedtposi nlon sa d sgr face with'one of the carton .st lsi t h hu sia a 9 he-seve walls lying along said iij tersect l n an d with a first oneof said pair of walls fiat on said surface, said disposed within the a r e a;coyered by and openingitowardgsaid first carton wall, the se cond w 9i saidpair overlying said first wall, an oper in g n dwallmember, amounting member a avine n r awe W9??? eupmelme on said end, said mounting ember having a rest position in whichisaid cup 1 disposedgin aidwallv member opening with' tsimrs ibstsnt e in th la d f r t oth 1 a 1 o eta ia tasc eai m ar e ai mounting n ember forwardly in an ar uate directionthrough said ppen a abert a, it, in id n rit ta ai -t o t ereb t W 9 .?'id $999 4 PP i anim Pa -toward saidi platform and intocontact with said second wall 011 said art on; ancl -for thereattr moving said mountin im mhe HDQIFY$ a r t v i t me wp asa d .t Wi 'Pflih .19. s d w P s 11. Erectingmeans in accord with claim 10 wherein a source of vacuiimhis provided, 1 and wherein control e sconneqt sai s ur o. aidsu a d, tu e Said -rm 'chan sm; n tim e t o s c t me being yoperative to connect said source of said cups at substantially the tirne 9fdeparture of said mou nting member ,from its said rest positionand to disconnect said source -from said cup s at snbstantiallythe timeat which said mova m m ha re rned i e s res position, and wherein said carton feeding means are coupled to ,rsaidcontrol means to actuate said control means in time re a on ,t itheafeed i a a c o n said p determined position.

:RR9!.F$ Ci d ia-thefil t pa UNITEDJSTATES' PATENTS 617.09 1 BP QiP -:-'r'."-- June a 1957 

